If you’ve ever watched a play or concert and found yourself more interested in the lighting than the actors or music, you might be wondering how to get into stage lighting.
Getting started doesn’t mean you need a degree right away. What matters most is building hands-on experience and learning from professionals in the industry. Here’s how to begin.
1. Shadow a Lighting Designer
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Find a local lighting designer and ask to shadow them.
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See how lighting is designed, rigged, programmed, and adjusted for a real production.
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Look for designers through groups like the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD) – student memberships are low-cost and give access to member directories and events.
Tip: Make your approach personal. Mention a show you’ve seen or their design style you admire.
2. Volunteer or Work at a Theatre
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Local theatres often need casual help backstage.
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You might start by moving gear or helping with setups, but it’s a foot in the door.
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Build a reputation for being reliable, observant, and hard-working.
This is often how professional connections start – and many jobs come from word of mouth.
3. Get Involved with a Lighting Hire Company
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Lighting hire companies support theatres, concerts, and tours.
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Many have informal training routes or apprenticeships.
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Offer to help during busy periods – even basic tasks like loading gear or prepping rigs can lead to more responsibility.
You’ll meet production electricians, designers, and technicians who can help you progress.
4. Build Your Technical and Soft Skills
Communication and Teamwork
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Lighting design is collaborative. You’ll work with directors, sound techs, and stage managers.
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You need to stay calm under pressure and communicate clearly – especially when working to tight deadlines.
Creativity
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Good lighting isn’t just functional. It’s visual storytelling.
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Visit other theatres and shows to see how light shapes mood and focus.
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Keep a reference book or folder of looks you like.
5. Study or Train (If It Suits You)
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BTEC in Production Arts is a good starting point at college level.
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Some universities offer vocational degrees in lighting or technical theatre.
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A degree isn’t essential, but it can speed up your learning and give you a fallback if you change paths later.
Ask where graduates from a course end up – not just what the brochure says.
6. Secure a Placement or Internship
Once you’ve got basic experience:
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Volunteer for a school or local amateur production.
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Keep a diary of what you learn and the issues you see during each setup.
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Try shadowing on the headset during shows – it gives insight into how the production runs live.
Bonus tip: Use downtime to talk to others in the team. You might find you’re more interested in sound or stage management than lighting itself.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single route into stage lighting. It’s a mix of graft, curiosity, and connections. Whether you want to work in theatres, festivals, or TV studios, learning on the job and meeting the right people is the best start you can make.
Stage & Studio Projects has years of experience with lighting and stage installations. If you’re interested in the technical side of performance, keep following our updates – we’ll be sharing more practical advice on starting and progressing in the backstage world.
Do you have a passion for the stage? Spend lots of time at the theatre? You might find yourself thinking of a career in the industry but how do you get there when you have lots of drive and enthusiasm yet are lacking in the experience department? Here are our top tips for kick-starting your career in stage lighting.